This is a re-creation of what the Roman fort Trimontium would have looked like 2000 years ago. Today, the area is a large empty field. Farmers use it to grow food and for sheep. In this narrative, you will hear the story of Trimontium, and learn about the Romans in Scotland. 

Wherever the Roman army went, they built a fort. When the Romans arrived to Scotland, they first needed to find an area that they liked. A place large enough to house many soldiers and  their horses. A place that they could defend and expand.  A place that was rich in resources. A place near their new road and near the river. A place where they could also build a civilian settlement, with shops and makers. 

Trimontium was the name the Romans gave their fort. In Latin it means "Place of the Three Hills", because of the three peaks that you can see in the landscape.  Latin was the language the Romans spoke.  These hills are called Eildon Hills today. 

Trimontium was first built in 79 or 80 CE by Julius Agricola, governor of Britannia. Agricola led a campaign to invade Caledonia with the help of the 9th and 20th Legions.  "Caledonia" was the name given to 'Scotland' in Ancient times. Every Legion had their own animal to represent their group, and the 20th Legion was the boar.

The Romans abandoned the fort and came back to rebuild at least 4 times. This means that the Romans came and built Trimontium, left for a little while, and then came back. They did this for 100 years.  After 180 CE the fort was never rebuilt again. 

The Romans believed they would be able to conquer 'Caledonia', like they did other parts of Europe and the Mediterranean. They wanted to make Caledonia part of the Roman Empire. After much trying they decided that it cost too much and the weather was horrible. The Romans left Trimontium in 180 CE. 

When archaeologists excavated Trimontium, they found over 100 wells and pits full of Roman objects. These contained more than 4000 objects such as weapons, kitchen utensils, jewellery, and shoes.  Who put them there? Was it the Romans? One theory says that the Romans left in a hurry and they buried their goods to hide them from the locals. Another theory says that a catastrophe happened and the local peoples buried the Roman objects as rejection to invasion.  Yet another theory says that it may have been for a ritual purpose. 

What do you think? Do you think the Romans had time to dig huge pits and put away the artefacts? Or do you think the locals disliked the Romans so much that they wanted to completely erase any memory of them? 

Standards for Welcome to Trimontium!

College, Career, and Civic Life (C3) Framework

Common Core - English Language Arts